When the Scribbler got (Salad) creamed...

Some people out there love their salad cream. They put it on everything, from bagels to potato salad. They keep 2 bottles at any one time just in case of shortages.

These people may be part of the Scribbler's life, but that's strictly them, and not their salad cream...

So there I was this morning, checking out the Sainsbury's, in Essex (lovely part of the world) when what should happen as I'm asking for directions to the sandwich counter?

A bottle of salad cream fell from the shelf stacker's arms.

The Scribbler, always holding social courtousey as a priorty, jumped forward to catch the falling, cream coloured bottle.

And what did I get for it? A veritable explosion of salad cream all over not only the floor, but also over the Scribbler's jeans. Heck, it was almost the world's first salad cream Scribble attempt. And not a very impressive one at that.

Luckily, I did get a £10 luncheon voucher from the apologetic stacker, which in the Scribbler's eyes, makes up for all but the harshest misdeeds.

I invested the salad cream stained voucher in strawberries, an apple, a banana and freshly squeezed orange juice. I'm going through a bit of a fruit kick at the moment, and I'll keep you posted on whether it returns any dividends.

And in case you're wondering, no, I didn't have salad cream with that...

The great William Felix! My old boss at the estate agents!

This, my friends, is my old boss, William 'Bill' Felix.

Many a time, while working long days in estate agency, he regaled us all with a funny story or a piece of advice. Usually ending with the words "Here endeth the lesson..."

He ate for England. Somehow he was really thin, even when lunch consisted of a cornish pasty, three chocolate bars, two packets of crisps and a bottle of coke.

One day, we went into the loft to get some equipment for the office and found this flourescent green jacket and builders hat...

This photo later went onto the website 'Hot or Not' on which he got a rating of 7.1... pretty hot then. Although we always thought it was a sympathy vote...

Big up to you, Bill.

The great VEE-TV wrap party!!!

I hereby present me, the Scribbler, in extreme close-up!

Not a pretty sight, I'm sure you'll agree. But I was having a great deal of fun..!

However bad the hangover was the next day, I maintain that there was good reason for the signature blurry eyes and doofish expression.

Yes Ladies and Gentlemen, it's that time of year again.

Er, June.

Which can only mean one thing: the end of production on yet another (6th!) VEE-TV series!

Working hard(ish!) all started back in November. (well, actually it all started back in March 2005, my first job in TV, but that's a whole other series, and a whole other story...)

So, it was November. Yes it was...

At that time, we were focusing on ideas alone. Just three of us.

Then, after Christmas, other people joined. A whole team of them.

And so it was that we focused on making a 12 episode TV series. Never an easy thing to do, mind!

The best thing about VEE-TV was the lunches. Over the course of production, as winter became spring and spring became summer, we ate Tapas, Thai Green Curry, baked potatoes, M&S (Waterloo station) Yogushakes, Froffees, diet cokes, and after work, most of the team drank for England!

But not the Scribbler of course...

Ahem.

Sorry I'm paying barely any attention to the photos here...

I'm just going to keep rambling on... in true Scribbler fashion.

Highlights of this series...

One has to be watching Rob our interpreter vainly try and keep up with a hip hop MC... a total nightmare in sign as she rapped away!

Finding out that Asher D from So Solid Crew needed four teeth removed... seconds after he got me to get him a Capuccino with five, yes five sugars.

I'm not a scientist, but I think the two things are related.

Another was interviewing Arsenal and England legend Ian Wright, and getting him to sign for us!

I was also lucky enough to Samba in Rio...

Brazil, WOW!

It was only Febuary, but it feels like a million years ago. We saw the Rolling Stones on Cocacabana Beach and danced in the carnival. We met deaf kids, and filmed on bullet hole-strewn streets in favelas.

We got shot at on a balcony while shooting general shots...

No kidding.

But we made it back in one piece. To Scribble once more. Well, me, at least.

(Funnily enough I saw our producer from that show on TV the other night - on a travel show. Couldn't believe it! A big hello goes out to Jamal Shreim!)

Other great things was writing a World Cup sketch and getting an innocent deaf PE teacher to dress up in drag...

As you do.

In the end, it all came down to one party, and the team doing what they do best.

Er, partying.

CONGRATULATIONS GUYS!

Big thanks go to Sam Dore, for providing the snaps.

And to the VEE-TV team, for their enthusiasm, dedication and heroics.

And respect goes to Rinkoo, for getting thrown out of the pub where the party was being held, but STILL, somehow, managing to find his way home.

The reason he got thrown out? That will remain between the VEE-TV team, and anyone who can understand sign...

VEE!

Lifesnaps # 34 The view from the window of the pad...

Queues at Queens (just around the corner!)

My new office... on the balcony! (apologies for being smug... can't help it)

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Stevie Brown's stag do..!

Stag nights.

The last night of freedom for a man ready to see out the rest of his life in matrimonial harmony. Cue inviting a few old mates down, having a slap up meal and then a few beers with which to dance the evening away.

We started with a footy match just behind Jeremy Clarkson's house in Chipping Norton - a good old kick around the like of which we hadn't seen since we all lived there. It tipped down with rain, but in a funny way, that just made it even more fun!

Then we had a great meal in Church Enstone...


Before tripping to Oxford for cocktails and tequila.

To all those who made it, thanks. Please observe the law of the stag...

...and keep your lips sealed.







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Lifesnaps # 33 - a picture in the Small Hours...

This time last week at 11pm at night, moments after stumbling out of a countryside pub in Carlisle, I saw this phenomenal sight - there was still some light in the sky, and not only that, it looked amazing!

It was Steve Brown's last night of freedom, and we weren't finished yet. We still had hours of listening to the Beatles, Van Morrison, Richard Thompson, John Martyn and Nick Drake to come. And a whole load of chatter to go with that.

The wedding by the way, was beautiful. The sun shone, people got merry, even my speech went down ok (might be publishing it soon..!) and it was an amazing time for everyone who made their way up north - but especially for the Bride and Groom, currently enjoying the spas of Scotland, no doubt!

This photo instantly made me think of a John Martyn song called Small Hours when I saw it - that might sound strange but the song was recorded by a lake at night and this photo is what I'd like to imagine the scene was like when they wrote it.

You'll have to listen to the song, while looking at the photo, for yourself to see whether you agree..!

The Scribbler is away... on best man's duty! This was the stag night..!